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ADDICTION & RECOVERY
Rural kids into the swing of substance abuse

Researchers from MRC Durban and the University of Natal investigated substance abuse among rural KwaZulu-Natal Grade 10 secondary school learners. The males reported more substance abuse than the females: over half of the males (52.9%) reporting ever having used alcohol compared to 25.5% of the females, and 45.5% of the males having inhaled benzene compared to 18.8% of the females. Paint thinners had been inhaled by 34.6% of the males and 10.8% of the females. Glue and petrol had been used by nearly a fifth of the males but fewer females.

Use of dagga was reported by 16.9% of males and 2.3% of females, while 13.1% of males and 2.0% of females had smoked cigarettes. Of concern is that 7.4% of males reported use of cocaine (1.3% of females) and 4.1% of males use of crack (1.3% females). This is a high incidence of substance abuse in a rural setting - where there are few facilities to turn to for help.

The researchers are collaborating with the South African National Council for Alcoholism and Drug Dependence to develop and implement an appropriate intervention programme for rural secondary school learners. The Research Group has provided technical support to Lesotho, Seychelles, Mauritius, Botswana, Namibia and Mozambique for the establishment of national alcohol and drug abuse monitoring systems.

In addition a national survey of adults during 2001 found marked support for restrictions to be imposed on alcohol advertising. The strongest support (74%) was for requiring alcohol manufacturers to place warning labels on alcohol containers, followed by either banning radio or TV advertisements for alcohol totally, or before 21h00.